What Can I Do with My Global Business Major?

Overview of the Major

Students majoring in global business will have a unique opportunity to combine a basic business education with their political and economic coursework, their advanced language, research, and cross-cultural proficiencies. Students are enabled to use the tools from the business disciplines to understand and analyze the firm and the private sector. Ultimately, graduates will be able to understand corporate ethics and social responsibility, and how political and economic environments have made these strategic concerns of the global firm.

Global business majors, like all students in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, develop acute analytical and critical thinking skills. In addition, they are required to develop proficiency in at least one foreign language during their time as an undergraduate – a skill that often makes them more competitive upon graduation. With an emphasis on excellent communication skills and objective analysis, students graduating from the School of Foreign Service are well-prepared for careers in both the public and private sectors, as well as success in both graduate and law school.

Skills acquired with the BSFS degree

Communication

  • Analytical writing
  • Editing
  • Drafting documents
  • Summarizing and presenting information
  • Public speaking
  • Language proficiency
  • Strong writing skills

Research

  • Defining problems
  • Formulating and assessing hypotheses
  • Gathering and analyzing information
  • Using original sources
  • Understanding cultural contexts
  • Interpreting data
  • Evaluating evidence and results
  • Reading critically

Critical Thinking

  • Understanding complex factors within problems
  • Perceiving patterns/structures
  • Comparing/contrasting interpretations
  • Assessing cultural differences
  • Assessing conflicting viewpoints

Sample Internship Opportunities

  • White House Fellows
  • U.S. State Department
  • International labor organizations (e.g., AFL-CIO)
  • U.S. or State Congress
  • Research Institutes/Think Tanks (e.g., Brookings Institute, Urban Institute)
  • International development and relief (e.g., Freedom House, AED, USAID)
  • Environmental organization (e.g., EPA, PIRC, Green Peace)
  • Educational programs (e.g., Summerbridge)
  • Financial services (e.g., The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association)
  • Consulting firms (e.g., Drum Cussac Inc.)
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Intelligence and National Security (e.g., Intellibridge.com, CIA)
  • Political Action Committees (PACs) (e.g., American Israeli PAC)
  • Government consulting (e.g., DFI, SAIC)
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (e.g., Search for Common Ground)

Where are SFS Graduates Now?

Global business is a new major in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, with the first graduates expected in 2017. The following information refers to alumni from all other majors in the SFS.

  • Attorney
  • Campaign staffer
  • Consultant
  • Creative writer
  • Development associate
  • Economist
  • Editorial assistant
  • Financial analyst
  • Foreign Service officer
  • Intelligence officer
  • Journalist
  • Legislative assistant
  • Librarian
  • Military services
  • News producer
  • Paralegal
  • Physician
  • Policy analyst
  • Production coordinator
  • Professor
  • Program assistant
  • Reference researcher
  • Social worker
  • Speech writer
  • Student services administrator
  • Teacher
  • University admissions officer

Relevant Websites and Publications

For more information about career options, internships and full-time opportunities contact the Cawley Career Education Center at One Leavey Center, (202) 687-3493. For more information about the global business major and degree requirements, visit the School of Foreign Service website or stop by 301 ICC.